Twitter can truly connect people. Proof: I am sharing what I told a Brussels’ digital influencer event at the request of my American Twitter friends. Ranked 18th in the league of digital EU influencers, I was asked to prepare a personal presentation in the form of five tweets. As a well-known Brussels’ bubble tweeter (most…

Context: Trump’s ongoing attacks on women, press, rule of law As a digital strategist, I’ve been on Twitter almost 24/7 for the last 7 years. I’ve seen it all. Which is probably why I don’t often mute, block or report someone on Twitter. But this is different. I mean: we’re talking about the President of the…

Methinks I behaved very well at the Women20 Summit. While the audience took a sharp breath and hissed in disbelief as Ivanka Trump defended her father, @WomenTwenty_Ger (run by me during the summit) stayed polite throughout the full two-day conference. After all, the summit was about gender equality and economic empowerment of women – not…

Sudden death On Monday 20 February 2017, Russian diplomat Vitaly Churkin suddenly passed away. He was a ‘highly respected Russian ambassador to the UN who was a tenacious, wily and witty defender of his country’. (source) On Tuesday 21 February the city medical examiner said that cause and manner of Churkin’s death needed to be studied further….

Even if you’re not on Twitter, you will have seen at least some of US president-elect Donald Trump’s tweets. They make headlines all over the world, causing diplomatic incidents, stock losses and calls for Twitter to suspend Trump’s account for inciting fear and hate. For Putin, the controversies over Trump’s tweets likely come as a…

Open letter from Members of the S&D group to the Maltese Presidency RE: Role of citizens and cooperatives in the Clean Energy Package. The recast of the Renewables Directive sets the level of energy from renewable sources in the EU at 27% in 2030. The S&D group will push for at least 40% by 2030…

“I. Will. Not. Resign!” When a European leader – be he politician or civil servant – is choosing this as the key message of an interview or a tweet, the first question that comes to mind is: when will he resign? And the second: OMG – who is his communications adviser? Does he even have…

The more successful the global energy transition gets, the more bashing by the old-skool energy utilities. Or, as I like to call them, the fossils. In every sense of the word. The so-called Magritte Group (named after the surrealist painter) at a visit to the European Parliament on 22 November proved to still be fossils….

This time, it only took 4.5 hours to claim he did nothing wrong. Just two weeks after global outrage over his racist, sexist and homophobic slur, German EU commissioner Oettinger is in the middle of new media storm for accepting a free trip on a private jet with an unregistered lobbyist nicknamed “Mr Russia”. While Twitter is running…

The long awaited and much anticipated Energy Union “Jumbo Package” – a package of 8 new and reviewed EU energy draft legislation; on Twitter a.k.a. #CleanEnergyEU (official hashtag), #EnergyUnionPackage, and #WinterPackage – is currently in so-called Inter Service Consultation within the European Commission. The package is scheduled to be adopted, presented and published on Wednesday…

EU Commission uses outdated climate targets in new report* On 8 November 2016, the European Commission informed the European Parliament and the Council of the EU about the progress of the EU towards the ‘at least -40% domestic greenhouse gas emissions versus 1990’ target as agreed in EU’s 2030 Climate & Energy Policy Framework. The…

This is not the type of blog I usually write. But today is different. Winter is here. How does Twitter react to Donald Trump winning the US election 2016? Have a look at my personal impression of Twitter reactions. It may give you some hope – and perhaps even a brief smile. Will the outcome…

On Tuesday 11 October, EU Member States’ delegates will meet with EU Commission and EU Parliament delegates to discuss the roll-out of clearer energy labels that would help consumers save money. It could be the last time they meet (it’s their third so-called informal trialogue) if they reach a final deal on the issue. Right now, the…

On Tuesday 7 June, EU Transport Ministers will debate the urgent need to close legal loopholes that allow car emissions defeat devices under certain circumstances. The debate follows up on revelations that certain carmakers have used defeat devices to cheat emission tests and that NOx emissions are much higher on the road than in laboratory tests. From…

On Monday 30 May, EU Ministers signed the so-called ‘Pact of Amsterdam‘, which sets out the principles of the Urban Agenda for the EU. Among the priority themes are energy, climate and air pollution. ‘The declaration comes just four days before national governments are set to water down proposed EU caps on air pollution at…

On 23-24 May, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete was in Algiers to strengthen the EU’s energy cooperation with Algeria. Together with the Algeria’s energy Minister Mr Salah Khebri, he opened the very first EU-Algeria Business Forum dedicated to energy. The Forum, a concrete follow-up of the EU-Algeria Political Dialogue on Energy…

As part of the European Energy Union project, the EU Commission held a public consultation on a new Renewable Energy Directive for the period after 2020 (from 18 November 2015 to 10 February 2016). The first results are now in. The Commission received 614 replies to the consultation: 18% of submissions come from industry associations 15% were…

The European Commission may not realise and/or not be ready to admit this, but the Paris Agreement means that the EU commits to net zero GHG emissions by 2050 (and net zero CO2 emissions by 2040). Fair share of #DeliveringOnParis for #EU means net zero CO2 by ~ 2040 (even faster than #0by2050 !) #ParisAgreement…

The EU Ministers for Energy will meet on Monday 6 June 2016. Update 2 June: The meeting page now indicates the agenda highlights: ‘Security of energy supply The Council will try to reach a general approach on a draft decision that sets up aninformation exchange mechanism on energy agreements between member states and non-EU countries….

On Wednesday 13 April the European Commission presented an interim report on its sector inquiry on electricity capacity mechanisms. (On Twitter a.k.a. the #PowerProbe on #CapacityMarkets.) A public consultation on the Power Probe (the interim report and the annexed staff working document) starts as of today; the deadline for comments is 6 July 2016. The Power Probe…

On Tuesday 16 February (rescheduled; was Wednesday 10 February) the European Commission will present the so-called Energy Union ‘Winter Package’. The package will consist of five elements: Revised Security of Gas Supply Regulation Proposal for a revised decision on Intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy Strategy for Liquefied Natural Gas & Storage Strategy for heating…

On Tuesday 16 February (rescheduled; was Wednesday 10 February) the European Commission will present the so-called Energy Union ‘Winter Package’. The package will consist of five elements: Revised Security of Gas Supply Regulation Proposal for a revised decision on Intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy Strategy for Liquefied Natural Gas & Storage Strategy for heating…

On Tuesday 16 February (rescheduled; was Wednesday 10 February) the European Commission will present the so-called Energy Union ‘Winter Package’. The package will consist of five elements: Revised Security of Gas Supply Regulation Proposal for a revised decision on Intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy Strategy for Liquefied Natural Gas & Storage Strategy for…

On Tuesday 16 February (rescheduled; was Wednesday 10 February) the European Commission will present the so-called Energy Union ‘Winter Package’. The package will consist of five elements: Revised Security of Gas Supply Regulation Proposal for a revised decision on Intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy Strategy for Liquefied Natural Gas & Storage Strategy for heating…

Happy New Year! 2016 is a crucial year – let’s work hard to protect our beautiful Earth! #EnergyUnion #EU2030 #EUETS #GreenGrowth #ParisAgreement PS: you can leave your email address below to be notified of my new blogs.

As part of the European Energy Union project, the EU Commission held a public consultation on a new electricity market design (15 July 2015 to 9 October 2015). The first results are now in. The Commission received 320 replies to the consultation. 49 % of submissions come from national or EU-wide industry associations 26% of…

On Wednesday 18 November the European Commission will present the first so-called ‘State of the Energy Union‘. A draft of this document was leaked to me last week (28 October 2015). The draft has 14 pages (plus cover page). Its structure: Introduction (p 1) Decarbonisation of the economy – addressing climate change (p 1) Progress made…

EU Ministers for Environment and Climate will meet on Monday 26 October 2015. Update 20 October: the meeting page now has agenda highlights & background brief (pdf). Added to the agenda: ‘The ministers will also address the issue of emissions from cars and manipulation of emission control systems in cars relating to the air quality in…

(from a press release) European Commission confirms eligibility of revised technical concept for new Danish-German offshore interconnector Energinet.dk and 50Hertz plan to establish a 400 MW offshore interconnection between national power grids 25 September 2015. Fredericia, Berlin. The European Commission has now granted the revised technical layout for the world’s first offshore interconnection that is…

Update 8 November: the EU Council Presidency invites the Permanent Representatives Committee ‘to confirm the agreement on these conclusions [dated 6 November; AS] with a view to their adoption by the TTE (Energy) Council on 26 November 2015.’ Highlights at first glance: Footnote 2, page 9 recalls the the EU objective for 2050: ‘RECALLS the EU objective,…

As announced in the Energy Union Strategy Framework, the EU Commission ‘will review all relevant energy efficiency legislation and will propose revisions, where needed, to underpin the [at least 27% energy savings by] 2030 target.’ Part of this task is to review the current energy labelling directive. The draft document was prepared in 2014 and has been…

At the European Council in October 2014, the 28 Heads of State and Government agreed on a new EU climate and energy framework until 2030. The decision provides for a binding EU climate target of at least 40% of domestic greenhouse gas reduction (compared to 1990), an EU-wide target for at least 27% share of…

Google-translated (with my own improvements; emphasis mine) from German government press release (24 June 2015). Federal Minister Gabriel and EU Commission Vice-President Šefčovič discussed the European Energy Union The Federal Minister of Economy and Energy, Sigmar Gabriel today in Berlin has met the Vice-President of the European Commission, Maros Sefcovic. Subject of the conversation were the European Energy…

As announced in the Energy Union Strategy Framework, the EU Commission is preparing ‘an ambitious legislative proposal to redesign the electricity market and linking wholesale and retail.’ The idea is that this ‘will increase security of supply and ensure that the electricity market will be better adapted to the energy transition which will bring in…

EU Commission Vice-President Sefcovic is touring Europe to promote and discuss the European Energy Union. ‘The Energy Union Tour will feed into the first State of the Energy Union report, which the Commission will present to the European Parliament and Council in the autumn of this year. It will become an important instrument to monitor…

As announced in the Energy Union Strategy Framework, the EU Commission is preparing ‘an ambitious legislative proposal to redesign the electricity market and linking wholesale and retail.’ The idea is that this ‘will increase security of supply and ensure that the electricity market will be better adapted to the energy transition which will bring in…

Google-translated (which needed many own improvements) from German source (15 May 2015). Kindergarten in the EU Commission In theory, seven Vice-Presidents and a new structure should bring more momentum to the work of the Commission. Instead, the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners block each other. What can better glue a shattered relationship than a good meal? In…

Google-translated from Polish source (3 May 2015): ‘The common market will benefit – says Miguel Arias Cañete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy. Q: Poland […] continues to invest in the construction of new coal-fired power plants based on coal and lignite. But is this reasonable in the context of the direction of decarbonisation, where Europe…

For what Russia’s words are worth these days: reacting to rumours in Der Spiegel (17 April 2015), Putin’s spokesperson today (18 April 2015) denies there is a deal with Greece on advance payment of up to 5 billion euros for a possible gas pipeline project called Turkish Stream. Background: Turkish Stream is qualified by the European…

On 8 June, EU Energy Ministers will discuss the European Energy Union. To prepare their meeting, several rounds of drafting the conclusions are taking place. The first draft conclusions were circulated to the delegations on 10 April. The draft is on the ‘Implementation of the Energy Union: empowering consumers and attracting investments in the energy…

Google-translated from Danish source, emphasis mine: Thursday, March 19, 2015 the Prime Minister hosted a round table discussion on energy with political leaders from a number of EU countries. It happened ahead of the EU summit Thursday where energy union is on the agenda. The aim was to bring political leaders and business leaders together…

EU Climate & Energy Commissioner Canete held a speech in Spain today. As the speech is only available in Spanish but many people may be interested to know what he said, I decided to Google-translate it for you. Energy interconnections in Europe. The role of Spain March 16, 2015 Miguel Arias Cañete – European Commissioner for…

The European Energy Union is on the agenda of EU leaders when they meet for an EU Summit on 19-20 March. Last week I wasn’t very pleased with the draft conclusions (scroll down on Twitter for my comments). Good news The good news is: the latest draft guidelines for the European Council conclusions are already…

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker gave a speech in Berlin on 2 March. This is what he said about the European Energy Union. I used Google translate and then made improvements; emphasis mine. “The Commission last Wednesday put its proposals regarding the Energy Union on the table and has done so for good reason. One…

Yesterday, the College of EU Commissioners had its first ‘orientation debate’ about the European Energy Union. At the College meeting, an internal paper (dated 30 January) was discussed. The paper was leaked to me.¹ The discussion paper gives a good preview of what we can expect from the ‘Energy Union Framework Strategy’ which is scheduled…

“Now we’re talking!” is what I thought when reading Germany’s paper on the European Energy Union. The German non-paper was leaked to me and I was glad to read it. Because in contrast to the UK & Czech view of how an Energy Union should be governed – or rather: not governed at all – Germany wants…

‘I want Europe’s Energy Union to become the world number one in renewable energies.‘ That was, on 15 July 2014, EU Commission President Juncker’s promise to the EU Parliament. But since then, the Commission became very quiet on the renewables front… until today. Today Mr Canete, Europe’s Climate Action & Energy Commissioner, was speaking at…

The dates are set for *the* European event on sustainable energy. The EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) will take place from 15 to 19 June 2015 in Brussels and across Europe. The European Commission invites you to be part of it: organise an Energy Day, apply to the Sustainable Energy Europe Awards or attend one…

The Latvian EU Presidency proposal for a carbon Market Stability Reserve is discussed by EU climate officials today (Tuesday 13 January 2015). Meanwhile the Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group has written to MEPs, calling on them to reform the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) to include a Market Stability Reserve by 2017…